Collingwood Ruckman Oscar Steene Suffers ACL Injury
Collingwood have confirmed that rising ruckman Oscar Steene has suffered a ruptured ACL during a match against Sydney. The 22-year-old was injured at the SCG after his left leg buckled under him as he ran towards a marking contest in the third quarter of the 81-75 Swans win.
“Oscar has worked extremely hard over the past few years to overcome injuries and get his opportunity at AFL level, so we are all incredibly disappointed for him,” said Magpies head of football Charlie Gardiner.
Steene immediately fell to the ground, holding his head in his hands before grabbing at his knee in pain. He was helped from the ground by the Collingwood medical staff.
“Since debuting earlier this year, Oscar has been an exciting addition to the team with his athleticism and competitiveness, suggesting he has a bright future ahead. This is an unfortunate setback for Oscar which we’ll support him through but he is a resilient and determined young guy who we know will put everything into his recovery.”
The incident drew strong reactions from former players. “This would be disastrous for the Pies,” said Hawthorn legend Jason Dunstall on Fox Footy. Brisbane champion Alastair Lynch let out an audible groan upon seeing the replay, describing the incident as “devastating”.
“You don’t like the look of that, left knee, it collapsed inside, that doesn’t look good,” he said. Speaking on SEN radio’s coverage of the game, GWS captain Toby Greene said: “(The knee) just buckles. You worry there a lot. You hope it’s not the worst.”
Steene made his debut for the Magpies this season and has given them a different look in the ruck with his huge leap and athleticism. Collingwood is already without reigning best and fairest ruckman Darcy Cameron with an ankle injury.
The injury also allowed Sydney ruckman, and former Pies star, Brodie Grundy to dominate the second half. Grundy did as he pleased and set the Swans up, amassing 33 disposals to go with 46 hit-outs and a goal. He and star half back Nick Blakey had career nights, the defender finishing with 39 touches and 893 metres gained.
For Collingwood, they will rue their inaccuracy early in the match. They kicked five of the first six goals of the match and were in full control across the first half. But the Pies kicked 1.7 in the second quarter and failed to put Sydney away.
The Swans got the game back on their terms from there and the manic pressure that had got Collingwood ascending early dropped away. Small forward Tom Papley kicked two big goals to help separate the game.
Nick Daicos had 27 disposals and kicked two early goals for the Pies, while Jordan De Goey finished with 29 touches himself. Collingwood fans will be left wondering whether 432-gamer Scott Pendlebury might have made the difference in a game decided by six points; and just a fortnight after thinking similarly during their draw with Hawthorn.
Pendlebury will return from his rest next week as the Pies host West Coast at the MCG as the 38-year-old breaks the V/AFL games record. Sydney meanwhile prepares for another huge clash, travelling to Geelong to face the Cats.
Impact on Collingwood’s Season
The loss of Oscar Steene is a significant blow to Collingwood’s season, especially with Darcy Cameron already sidelined. The team will need to find new ways to compensate for the absence of key ruckmen. This could mean relying more on younger players or adjusting their strategy in the ruck contests.
With Steene out for an extended period, the responsibility may fall on other players to step up and fill the void. This could create opportunities for emerging talents within the squad, although it also presents challenges in maintaining consistency.
Collingwood’s performance in the match highlighted their struggles with accuracy and consistency. While they started strongly, they failed to maintain their momentum in the second half. This inconsistency could be a concern as they move forward in the season.
Key Players and Performances
Despite the setbacks, some players delivered standout performances. Nick Daicos and Jordan De Goey were instrumental in the first half, showing their ability to contribute both in attack and defense. Tom Papley’s goals were crucial in securing the win for Sydney.
The match also saw a strong performance from Brodie Grundy, who took control of the ruck contests and provided a solid foundation for the Swans’ attack. His performance was a key factor in the team’s success.
Looking Ahead
As Collingwood prepares for their next matches, they will need to regroup and focus on their recovery. The team’s depth and resilience will be tested in the coming weeks, especially with the absence of key players.
Scott Pendlebury’s return is anticipated as a boost for the team, and his experience could provide much-needed leadership. The upcoming match against West Coast will be an important test for the Pies as they aim to bounce back from this setback.
Sydney, on the other hand, will be looking to build on their recent victory as they prepare for their clash against Geelong. The team’s strong performance in this match could be a sign of their potential in the season ahead.
